Construction on the $42 million Gregory Developmental Road widening project is set to commence in the coming weeks.

According to Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey, the Queensland Government is making a significant investment which will help improve the key north-south inland freight route.

“These widening and strengthening works will be welcomed by industry, locals and tourists.

“The northern section of Gregory Developmental Road is very narrow and can be difficult for smaller vehicles and large road trains to navigate. By widening the road to eight metres, with two bitumen lanes, we will improve safety and better cater to increasing volumes of traffic,” Mr Bailey said.

Mr Bailey added that this project will increase economic opportunities in regional and rural communities, which will boost productivity as well as help provide a possible alternative to the Bruce Highway.

The Charters Towers Regional Council and RoadTek will be delivering the widening of eight sections of Gregory Developmental Road, located south of Charters Towers.

“In total, about 34km of road will be widened between Bluff Downs Road and the Greenvale Mine access road.

“The 5.5km section between Bluff Downs Road and the Basalt River Bridge will be the first to be widened,” Mr Bailey said.

Construction is expected to be completed by late 2019, weather permitting.

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